American Citizen Services confirms they will not assist Americans seeking vaccines in Thailand

[macnmotion]

I hadn't seen the following details posted so I thought I would share. I received an appt. for my vaccine on the 19th through ExpatVac. As I will eventually be returning to the US and live in a location requiring proof of a US recognized vaccination for entry into businesses, I emailed ACS (American Citizen Services) to assist in making sure my vaccine is Pfizer. Their automated email reply made 2 points:

 

1) They begin the email stating that any question answered on their website or in this automated email will not receive any personal response from ACS or the Embassy

 

The first point in the email concerns COVID-19 vaccinations in Thailand. So I won't be receiving any further reply or assistance. Following is the content of the email concerning vaccines in Thailand. While I already have known, due to their silence, that the US State Department and its Embassy in Bangkok have abandoned Americans here during this crisis, it stings a bit to see this in black and white. They're happy to tax us while we are here, but will provide no support during a health crisis.

 

Also note that everything that I have chronicled and experienced related to the inability for American citizens to receive vaccinations in Thailand, as well as everything I have learned about who has been given access to the US-donated Pfizer vaccines, has been forwarded to my Representative in the House. His Director of Special Projects has already begun contact with the US Embassy in Bangkok in Congress' role of oversight over the Executive Branch. I encourage every American to contact their representatives and share their stories, from websites that either haven't worked or have had no response, to the inability for younger healthy Americans to even sign up for vaccines (especially US approved vaccines), or any other information they have. Your representatives have staff whose job it is to assist their constituents. Let's make them work for us.

 

---

1. COVID-19 Vaccination Information

The Royal Thai Government (RTG) has informed the U.S. Embassy that it opened a new website for U.S. citizens and other expatriates of all age groups in Thailand to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine.  A second website regularly updated by the Department of Disease Control (DDC) also lists several hospitals in Bangkok and other provinces that will accept pre-registration for Covid-19 vaccines. Using the links below, you may pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine by providing your personal information to request an appointment to receive the vaccine. 

• For general pre-registration with the RTG in all areas of Thailand please click on this link: https://expatvac.consular.go.th/
• For pre-registration at specific hospitals through the Intervac program, please click on this link: https://thailandintervac.com/public.php.  Intervac is mainly servicing the Bangkok area currently.  More vaccine choices and hospital options will be added as the program expands.  Please continue to check that website for updates.

The websites above are run by the RTG.  The ACS unit is not able to assist in answering technical questions about these websites.  If the websites are not accepting information, we suggest monitoring the websites and trying again at a later time.

Please Note:  By registering with these websites, your information is going directly to the Royal Thai Government and hospital coordinating officials, not the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy will not have access to information on the form, and by law the U.S. Government is prohibited from sharing information about U.S. citizens to a foreign government.

U.S. Embassy Thailand’s official announcement regarding the Pfizer vaccine donation to Thailand can be found at this link.  This vaccine donation does not come with strings attached, and we are happy to hear the Royal Thai Government has committed to distributing these vaccines equitably to all residents of Thailand and to prioritizing those most at risk.  The Royal Thai Government has full control of vaccine supplies and the U.S. Embassy will not have a role in the distribution.  If the Thai Government makes the Pfizer vaccines available to U.S. citizens it will be through the registration programs listed above. 

ACS will update our website and Facebook and Twitter resources when there is additional verifiable information about the Pfizer vaccine availability.  You can also sign up to receive alerts via email at https://step.state.gov/.

Edited August 17, 2021 by macnmotion

[macnmotion]

As an update, I just confirmed through a colleague who is an executive at Samitivej that I have been confirmed to receive Sinovac. I will be leaving that Sinovac vaccine for someone else to take. Hell, I don't even rate AZ. What a joke.

[Chomper Higgot]

Be careful what you set it in motion.

 

The distribution to other nations by the Biden administration of vaccines has been a clear foreign policy win, that alone will earn the distribution enemies on one side of the house.

 

In addition to which isolationists on that same side of the house are always looking for reasons to cut foreign aid.

 

The US has, as stated, has not tied strings to this donation but also as stated the RTG has made commitments to provide vaccines to all residents of Thailand, this agreement was clearly in place at the time of the arrival of the vaccine at Suvarnabhumi (refer text of ACS statement).

 

The absence of overt ‘strings’ does not mean agreements were not made prior to the delivery. 

 

Omitting overt ‘strings’ recognizes Thailand’s sovereignty and the sovereignty of the RTG, something we all know to be a matter of hyper sensitivity amongst our hosts.

 

The ACS advice is good, keep applying, you won’t get a Pfizer vaccine with your name on it by any other means.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 17, 2021 by Chomper Higgot

[macnmotion]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Be careful what you set it in motion.

 

The distribution to other nations by the Biden administration of vaccines has been a clear foreign policy win, that alone will earn the distribution enemies on one side of the house.

 

In addition to which isolationists on that same side of the house are always looking for reasons to cut foreign aid.

 

The US has, as stated, has not tied strings to this donation but also as stated the RTG has made commitments to provide vaccines to all residents of Thailand, this agreement was clearly in place at the time of the arrival of the vaccine at Suvarnabhumi (refer text of ACS statement).

 

The absence of overt ‘strings’ does not mean agreements were not made prior to the delivery. 

 

Omitting overt ‘strings’ recognizes Thailand’s sovereignty and the sovereignty of the RTG, something we all know to be a matter of hyper sensitivity amongst our hosts.

 

The ACS advice is good, keep applying, you won’t get a Pfizer vaccine with your name on it by any other means.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your advice but the only website I qualify on as an American, under 60 without one of 7 underlying conditions just assigned me Sinovac. And for the record, not that it makes any difference, I'm a registered democrat as is my representative. Oversight is oversight -- it's not a political agenda. And are you suggesting that agreements may have been made prior to delivery that assured Americans would receive Sinovac as their vaccine? This, while back office workers at a major Bangkok hospital who work in a different building were given Pfizer as a booster dose (I work directly with the hospital and know this for a fact)?

 

I'm more than happy to set in motion oversight in plain sight. 

[macnmotion]

1 hour ago, macnmotion said:

As an update, I just confirmed through a colleague who is an executive at Samitivej that I have been confirmed to receive Sinovac. I will be leaving that Sinovac vaccine for someone else to take. Hell, I don't even rate AZ. What a joke.

Now my colleague informs me that he was messing with me, he doesn't know what I will receive, so I will have to show up and see.

[TheCowboy]

Quote

...  live in a location requiring proof of a US recognized vaccination for entry into businesses, 

Where is this requirement in effect?

 

I just looked at a couple of state vaccine passport card requirements.   My impression is that anybody vaxed out of state or country must have a local healthcare provider verify the vaccination.  No special requirements for US or CDC vaccine approval.   

 

You are in the same position as many Europeans who have gotten AstraZeneca -- also approved by the WHO (like Sinovac) but not the CDC -- who will need to have their foreign record checked by a local provider, even if they got Pfizer shots. 

[macnmotion]

16 minutes ago, TheCowboy said:

Where is this requirement in effect?

 

I just looked at a couple of state vaccine passport card requirements.   My impression is that anybody vaxed out of state or country must have a local healthcare provider verify the vaccination.  No special requirements for US or CDC vaccine approval.   

 

You are in the same position as many Europeans who have gotten AstraZeneca -- also approved by the WHO (like Sinovac) but not the CDC -- who will need to have their foreign record checked by a local provider, even if they got Pfizer shots. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/04/nyc-to-require-vaccination-proof-for-restaurants-gyms-indoor-venues.html

 

[macnmotion]

22 minutes ago, TheCowboy said:

Where is this requirement in effect?

 

I just looked at a couple of state vaccine passport card requirements.   My impression is that anybody vaxed out of state or country must have a local healthcare provider verify the vaccination.  No special requirements for US or CDC vaccine approval.   

 

You are in the same position as many Europeans who have gotten AstraZeneca -- also approved by the WHO (like Sinovac) but not the CDC -- who will need to have their foreign record checked by a local provider, even if they got Pfizer shots. 

And the requirement will spread. Here is another example: https://www.raiders.com/news/las-vegas-raiders-to-require-proof-of-covid-19-vaccination-for-raiders-games-at-

[TheCowboy]

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-show-proof-of-vaccination-new-york-city-5196619 

which says:

 

• You can show your paper COVID-19 vaccination card or use the official apps to enter indoor venues like restaurants, bars, and movie theaters in New York City.
• The New York State Excelsior Pass only works for those who have been vaccinated in the state. Out-of-state visitors will have to opt for the city's NYC COVID Safe app.
• For international visitors, all WHO-authorized vaccines are acceptable, according to the NYC mayor's press office.

 

Regarding the NFL, I suspect that if they have a way to let unvaccinated QBs (like Lamar Jackson, who is the Ravens starter against the Raiders) into the stadium, there will be an arrangement that lets their app verify overseas WHO-authorized vaccines.  

Edited August 17, 2021 by TheCowboy
fixed layout

[macnmotion]

7 minutes ago, TheCowboy said:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-show-proof-of-vaccination-new-york-city-5196619 

which says:

 

• You can show your paper COVID-19 vaccination card or use the official apps to enter indoor venues like restaurants, bars, and movie theaters in New York City.
• The New York State Excelsior Pass only works for those who have been vaccinated in the state. Out-of-state visitors will have to opt for the city's NYC COVID Safe app.
• For international visitors, all WHO-authorized vaccines are acceptable, according to the NYC mayor's press office.

 

Regarding the NFL, I suspect that if they have a way to let unvaccinated QBs (like Lamar Jackson, who is the Ravens starter against the Raiders) into the stadium, there will be an arrangement that lets their app verify overseas WHO-authorized vaccines.  

I hope this is the way it goes. In any case, my preference is not to take a chance that for 2 or 3 weeks of a month trip home I cannot go anywhere while I'm vaccinated there. ????

[pseudorabies]

Seeing how the US government handled the exit from Afghanistan I'm not sure I'd want or expect their help for anything.

 

Why not try for Pfizer at Medpark?  At some point they will finish vaccinating people who are 60+ or have one or more at-risk conditions and start vaccinating younger people.  When I registered I was allowed to choose Sinoxxx, AZ or Pfizer.  They may still offer the same choice for younger patients as the Pfizer shots continue to roll in.

I'd also enquire at the hospitals scheduled to receive Moderna as there will likely be slots opening up from those who signed up but were able to score Pfizer shots sooner.

[macnmotion]

14 minutes ago, pseudorabies said:

Seeing how the US government handled the exit from Afghanistan I'm not sure I'd want or expect their help for anything.

 

Why not try for Pfizer at Medpark?  At some point they will finish vaccinating people who are 60+ or have one or more at-risk conditions and start vaccinating younger people.  When I registered I was allowed to choose Sinoxxx, AZ or Pfizer.  They may still offer the same choice for younger patients as the Pfizer shots continue to roll in.

I'd also enquire at the hospitals scheduled to receive Moderna as there will likely be slots opening up from those who signed up but were able to score Pfizer shots sooner.

Thanks. I have prepurchased Moderna that I will use if I am unsuccessful being vaccinated beforehand. I'm guessing that by the time Medpark provides vaccines to me (under 60, no medical conditions) the Moderna will already be here. 

[macnmotion]

ACS (American Citizen Services) replied to me today. First they summarized the automated email, telling me that they do not interfere with the Thai government's disbursment of the vaccines. When I replied that they need to do something, as vaccines aren't going where they are supposed to, and an American died here on August 9th from COVID, I received this reply:

---

These policies come from the highest level of U.S. Government in Washington, DC and congressional representatives are aware of these policies. The U.S. Government does not provide health care for U.S. citizens overseas. The Embassy has been in contact with the Thai Government regarding the Pfizer vaccines, however, ultimately, they will decide on the distribution of the vaccine.

---

We all know that workers at the US Embassy in Bangkok received Pfizer vaccines months ago sent to them by the US Government, thanks to an employee posting a photo of their Pfizer certificate online (see attached photo). So in fact the US Government DOES provide healthcare services for US citizens overseas. They have just arbitrarily decided that some Americans overseas are more deserving of a vaccine than others. It is exactly this type of arbitrary and self serving behavior of the Executive Branch for which we have Congressional oversight. 

 

I will continue to pursue this by continuing my discussions with my Congressman's office. I will also reach out to media outlets in the States looking for a story. I encourage all Americans who are facing the same problems to write their member of Congress and demand oversight.

Edited August 17, 2021 by macnmotion

[RubbaJohnny]

I realize it's a hard pill to swallow but white wealthy expat Americans are being treated as second class. It does have a major upside thay will not need a mandatory critical race theory attitude adjustment cert to re enter, the fact that embassies and other tax funded agents have no interets compassion or care for their fellow citizens is teh new norm.

 

Sauve qui peut!

[mtls2005]

Difficult situation, under 60, healthy. Well, I mean being young and healthy aren't difficult of course. Just means you're quite down on the priority list. Could probably get SV, SPh, maybe AZ. You employer should have something arranged?

 

The only possibility would have been to make a Moderna reservation a few months ago. That first tranche is confirmed for October, with hospitals setting up appointments as of tomorrow (for October). You could look for a resale on that; some took Pfizer already and are offering their Moderna rez.

 

Second tranches of Moderna are just going on sale now, due Q12022.

 

More Pfizer and Moderna are said to be on order, for what that's worth, but your options may be limited. Is returning to the U.S. a possibility? 

 

 

There are various advocacy groups working this issue, Democrats Abroad for one have been active trying to get vaccines for Americans here. @DemsAbroadThai on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

[mojaco]

My British friend had opportunity yesterday to sign up for Astrazeneca being supplied by the British consulate in Chiang Mai.  So sad that the USA doesn't do the same.

[treetops]

3 hours ago, macnmotion said:

So in fact the US Government DOES provide healthcare services for US citizens overseas.

They supplied it to employees overseas, irrespective of nationality.  That many were US citizens was bound to be so, but irrelevant.

[macnmotion]

34 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Difficult situation, under 60, healthy. Well, I mean being young and healthy aren't difficult of course. Just means you're quite down on the priority list. Could probably get SV, SPh, maybe AZ. You employer should have something arranged?

 

The only possibility would have been to make a Moderna reservation a few months ago. That first tranche is confirmed for October, with hospitals setting up appointments as of tomorrow (for October). You could look for a resale on that; some took Pfizer already and are offering their Moderna rez.

 

Second tranches of Moderna are just going on sale now, due Q12022.

 

More Pfizer and Moderna are said to be on order, for what that's worth, but your options may be limited. Is returning to the U.S. a possibility? 

 

 

There are various advocacy groups working this issue, Democrats Abroad for one have been active trying to get vaccines for Americans here. @DemsAbroadThai on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the thoughtful post. I have a reservation for an October Moderna vaccine. If I have to wait for that I will. When I say I'm under the 60 year old threshold, I'm one year under. Yes I'm healthy, but an essentially arbitrary number leaves me unprotected. I have a small company here, and my staff didn't register us for vaccines under the social security scheme. In fact I knew nothing about that (my fault) until just recently. I had originally planned to return to the US in July to visit family and get vaccinated but an emergency here has kept me in-country. However, I really shouldn't have to spend thousands of dollars on airfare and ASQ upon my return, spending weeks in quarantine, to receive a vaccination. I appreciate the info about Democrats Abroad, I will look them up. Have a nice evening.

[macnmotion]

4 minutes ago, treetops said:

They supplied it to employees overseas, irrespective of nationality.  That many were US citizens was bound to be so, but irrelevant.

The fact that they are government employees is moot. If US policy is not to provide health care services to citizens overseas, which is what the embassy has told me, then there is no difference between embassy employees and the rest of the Americans here. The only thing that gives embassy workers special access to vaccines from the US government is a self serving double standard. Embassy workers are not front line workers in the fight against this disease, they are no more exposed to risk than any American here (in fact I would suggest they are likely more isolated from the general public than many of us).

[treetops]

10 minutes ago, macnmotion said:

If US policy is not to provide health care services to citizens overseas, which is what the embassy has told me, then there is no difference between embassy employees and the rest of the Americans here.

The stance as a government should not be mixed up with the stance as an employer.  Rightly or wrongly there is a distinct difference.

 

Those of us from the UK are in a similar position where the embassy staff have been vaccinated courtesy of their employer, the FCDO, not by the NHS which is overseen by the Government's Department for Health and Social Care and who are the ones not giving out vaccines overseas.

[macnmotion]

10 minutes ago, treetops said:

The stance as a government should not be mixed up with the stance as an employer.  Rightly or wrongly there is a distinct difference.

 

Those of us from the UK are in a similar position where the embassy staff have been vaccinated courtesy of their employer, the FCDO, not by the NHS which is overseen by the Government's Department for Health and Social Care and who are the ones not giving out vaccines overseas.

While I understand your logic, it doesn't wash. Funds for the vaccines that went to the Embassy came from public funds, not some private employer funds. In fact I paid for the embassy workers to be vaccinated. Employees of the State Department are my employees, not the State Department's. When the employer is the government, there is no issue with mixing anything up. The two are one and the same. If in fact the State Department sees themselves as a discrete employer as you suggest, then it's even that much more important for oversight to correct this deficient way of thinking about the use of public funds.

Edited August 17, 2021 by macnmotion

[treetops]

1 minute ago, macnmotion said:

Funds for the vaccines that went to the Embassy came from public funds, not some private employer funds.

Different budgets I would expect.  The State Department Budget (for running Embassies and whatever else they do) could not be expected to be spent on vaccinating American expats overseas.

 

Whatever budget is being allocated for vaccinations it has been decided they will be administered in a certain manner which excludes expats.  It's the same for almost everyone and seems fair enough.

 

Expats gave up access to medical treatment at home when they decided to move abroad.  The pandemic was obviously unexpected, but so usually is a heart attack or whatever that you wouldn't expect any US goverment supplied health care to pay for.

[macnmotion]

3 minutes ago, treetops said:

Different budgets I would expect.  The State Department Budget (for running Embassies and whatever else they do) could not be expected to be spent on vaccinating American expats overseas.

 

Whatever budget is being allocated for vaccinations it has been decided they will be administered in a certain manner which excludes expats.  It's the same for almost everyone and seems fair enough.

 

Expats gave up access to medical treatment at home when they decided to move abroad.  The pandemic was obviously unexpected, but so usually is a heart attack or whatever that you wouldn't expect any US goverment supplied health care to pay for.

Well we will just have to disagree on this. There is no comparison between treatment for a heart attack and access to vaccines during a worldwide pandemic. As for which cost center will pay for this, I really don't care. This is a policy matter not a cost center matter. If policy stated all citizens overseas would receive equal treatment then funds would be found. The issue is a double standard of how American citizens overseas are treated by our government. I assure you that there are Americans the world over who don't agree with your assessment that this is fair. 

[treetops]

1 minute ago, macnmotion said:

Well we will just have to disagree on this.

Indeed.

 

I'm actually surprised at Americans making an issue of this when I believe health care is predominately privately sourced there, as opposed to the UK with its government taxpayer funded NHS.  I don't believe the UK government should supply overseas health care, so it would make no sense (to me) that the US government would do so with it's totally different healthcare infrastructure.

[TheCowboy]

Taxpaying US citizen here. 

Although the Embassy response to citizen concerns has been atrocious, it still seems perfectly reasonable to vaccinate US gov staff, including Embassy and JUSMAAGTHAI (and other military and gov research personnel) here.  They are a tiny number compared to the expat population, and may, sooner or later, provide essential services to us.   Treating them doesn't undermine the general principle that we're responsible for our own healthcare when we're overseas.  

 

And I am quite proud that US policy has supported allocating a portion -- 150,000 -- of our donated vaccines to all expats in greatest need, regardless of nationality -- those over 60, pregnant, or with one of the listed health issues -- rather than being reserved for younger US nationals at much lower risk.  And who can greatly mitigate (although not completely eliminate) that risk with readily available Sinovac right now.   

 

I'd also point out that US expats under 60 are more likely to be working, and thus more likely to benefit from the expat taxable income exclusion, which is $107,600 for 2020, in addition to avoiding state tax liability as non-residents.  The exclusion is partly based on the assumption that expats will make fewer calls on US services, independent of tax obligations in their countries of residence.  It seems to me that the expectation of automatically being provided with a particular vaccine because Americans who live in the USA can get it is one of these.  

 

Finally, I'm writing this less in response to the OP than to non-American lurkers on this thread, just to make the point that while we red-blooded Murkins might not agree with particular officials or specific policies, we can also cool our jets (i.e. flame off) and appreciate the larger picture.   And to suggest to my compatriots that members of Congress -- in particular, Tammy Duckworth, although I'm sure there are others -- should be thanked for what they are accomplishing in getting vaccines to Thailand, rather than blamed for what they are not. 

[macnmotion]

17 minutes ago, TheCowboy said:

Taxpaying US citizen here. 

Although the Embassy response to citizen concerns has been atrocious, it still seems perfectly reasonable to vaccinate US gov staff, including Embassy and JUSMAAGTHAI (and other military and gov research personnel) here.  They are a tiny number compared to the expat population, and may, sooner or later, provide essential services to us.   Treating them doesn't undermine the general principle that we're responsible for our own healthcare when we're overseas.  

 

And I am quite proud that US policy has supported allocating a portion -- 150,000 -- of our donated vaccines to all expats in greatest need, regardless of nationality -- those over 60, pregnant, or with one of the listed health issues -- rather than being reserved for younger US nationals at much lower risk.  And who can greatly mitigate (although not completely eliminate) that risk with readily available Sinovac right now.   

 

I'd also point out that US expats under 60 are more likely to be working, and thus more likely to benefit from the expat taxable income exclusion, which is $107,600 for 2020, in addition to avoiding state tax liability as non-residents.  The exclusion is partly based on the assumption that expats will make fewer calls on US services, independent of tax obligations in their countries of residence.  It seems to me that the expectation of automatically being provided with a particular vaccine because Americans who live in the USA can get it is one of these.  

 

Finally, I'm writing this less in response to the OP than to non-American lurkers on this thread, just to make the point that while we red-blooded Murkins might not agree with particular officials or specific policies, we can also cool our jets (i.e. flame off) and appreciate the larger picture.   And to suggest to my compatriots that members of Congress -- in particular, Tammy Duckworth, although I'm sure there are others -- should be thanked for what they are accomplishing in getting vaccines to Thailand, rather than blamed for what they are not. 

The problem with the general principle that we are responsible for our own healthcare once we leave America is that this isn't business as usual. This is a once in a hundred years global pandemic, and we unfortunately happen to be in a country woefully unprepared to provide us with the tools to provide for our own health care. This isn't a flu shot we need, this is a vaccine that just isn't being made available to all Americans here. I know of one American who is dead here from COVID. It may be more.

 

Look, I'm sure there are many Americans here willing to be more patient than me. I'm sure there are those who don't agree with me that embassy employees are not at any special risk that public funds should provide them vaccines but deny them to others. I feel strongly about this issue and will continue to pursue policy changes. 

[mtls2005]

9 hours ago, macnmotion said:

I have a reservation for an October Moderna vaccine.

Good info to share upfront.

 

OK, then I wouldn't waste any more time trying to beat a vaccine out Uncle Sam.

 

You'll probably have an appointment (SMS from hospital advising you of your first appointment in October) for Moderna by tomorrow.

 

More often than not, the squeaky wheel is ignored.

 

 

[macnmotion]

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

Good info to share upfront.

I shared that information earlier in the thread, but as it's a long thread I'm sure many didn't see it.

 

I agree, I'm not trying to get a vaccine from the US Government at this point. However, I am continuing to pursue oversight of US policy where some US citizens overseas are worthy of a vaccine with public money while many more are not. It's a policy I don't agree with, and because of that I'm working through my representative to question it. In my opinion there are many Americans here in much greater need of vaccines due to age and medical condition than some embassy workers.

Edited August 18, 2021 by macnmotion

[Chomper Higgot]

24 minutes ago, macnmotion said:

I shared that information earlier in the thread, but as it's a long thread I'm sure many didn't see it.

 

I agree, I'm not trying to get a vaccine from the US Government at this point. However, I am continuing to pursue oversight of US policy where some US citizens overseas are worthy of a vaccine with public money while many more are not. It's a policy I don't agree with, and because of that I'm working through my representative to question it.

There’s a salient point you are missing.

 

Embassy staff are employed by the Government at an overseas post. The Government has a duty to care for their health and safety.

 

US private citizen expats chose of their own volition to relinquish their access to some government programs when they chose to emigrate.

 

That said, if you manage to win government employee benefits for private expats can you also ask if the government budget can run to the provision of a US Marine guard at the entrance to the homes of US expats.

 

 

[macnmotion]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

There’s a salient point you are missing.

 

Embassy staff are employed by the Government at an overseas post. The Government has a duty to care for their health and safety.

 

US private citizen expats chose of their own volition to relinquish their access to some government programs when they chose to emigrate.

 

That said, if you manage to win government employee benefits for private expats can you also ask if the government budget can run to the provision of a US Marine guard at the entrance to the homes of US expats.

 

 

The reason your logic doesn't hold is because this isn't business as usual, this is an extraordinary situation.

 

Actually, the Government has no more duty to care for their health than they would if they were working in the US. This is not a "Government Program" that provided vaccines to embassy workers, this was the State Department choosing to use public funds to vaccinate their employees. No program. This was a management decision. I'm sure that every one of these embassy workers has health insurance supplied by the State Department which works just as well as my insurance in Thai hospitals, and they would be treated just the same as me when they attempted to sign up for a vaccine. While I can only guess, I would bet that there is nothing in their employment contracts about vaccines being shipped to them overseas during a pandemic (or any vaccine for that matter). They are certainly vaccinated as required before departing the US depending on where they are heading, but surely you can't think the State Department is sending annual flu vaccines to employees around the world, or dengue vaccines if there is a local outbreak. They rely on local medical care just as we do -- except during this pandemic.

 

Are you suggesting that if an Embassy employee had a heart attack here that the US would fly in a surgeon and nursing team to take care of them? Of course not. Same if they were posted in the US -- their insurance would cover their care, not the State Department.

 

Calling this a government employee benefit likens this to giving them a car or health insurance as a benefit of employment. That is not what this was. This was preferential and self serving use of public funds to provide vaccines to a selected group of Americans overseas while ignoring the rest.